It is February, and Angels general manager Billy Eppler feels good about his team. He clarifies, though: He felt the same way before the Angels’ 88-loss 2016 and their 82-loss 2017. In terms of his excitement, nothing has changed.

But yes, he acknowledges, outsiders expect more from the Angels this season.

The reasons for that are clear. Eppler began baseball's most active off-season by re-signing powerful leftfielder Justin Upton to a five-year contract that will not approach market value until 2021. One month later, he surprised the sport by convincing two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani to leave Japan for Orange County.

The following week, he persuaded free-agent shortstop Zack Cozart, a breakout All-Star in 2017, to agree to play second base in Anaheim for three years. The following day, he sold Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler on waiving his no-trade clause. Eppler then retraced his steps and gently asked Cozart if he’d be willing to instead play...

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